Taco Bell is a great fast food restaurant, and I often find myself getting different menu items there. I know that it’s a joke that some of their menu items are different shapes but are composed of essentially the same ingredients, but there are actually a few differences in every product. So much so, that I decided to count down my five favorites today. I’m not counting Baja Blast or their freezes; I’m counting down food items. Let’s begin. Continue reading “Top 5 Taco Bell Menu Items”

A few weeks ago, I wrote a two part series on what I consider to be the 10 best movies of all time. Given how much I enjoyed writing that piece and the fair amount of success it had, I have decided to do a similar series on my 10 favorite television series of all time. Similar to my previous series, the first week will feature 10-6 on my list, as well as an honorable mention. Week two will feature numbers 5-1, as well as a list of other shows I felt could have been in contention. This list excludes shows like The Daily Show, mainly because they are not really TV series. Please note that all opinions in this piece are my own. Just because your favorite show isn’t on here, it doesn’t necessarily mean it is bad (although, it very well might be).

Honorable Mention: House of Cards

If I had made this list a year ago, House of Cards would have been number one, without a shadow of a doubt. In my opinion, it is most likely the best story ever created for the small-screen. The complexity of the characters and the phenomenal writing create something that has never been, and very well may never be, replicated. I have seen the entire series to-date a total of 5 times. I absolutely love it. However, after the Kevin Spacey scandal, I feel that the show simply lost a lot of its appeal. I tried to re-watch the series again after the scandal and it just didn’t feel the same. The psychopathic tendencies of Spacey’s Frank Underwood just felt all too real to have any legitimate entertainment value. With that being said, the show itself is amazing and deserves mention on any list of this nature.

10. Burn Notice

Although it is probably the least recognizable show on this list, Burn Notice was spectacular during the entirety of its 7 season run. The show is centered around a blacklisted spy who attempts to reassemble his life by connecting with old friends, as well as old enemies, from his past. Interesting characters and witty dialogue, as well as over the top action sequences make this show truly memorable. The series finale holds a place among the all time greats and I feel that Burn Notice is more than deserving of a place among the most underrated television series of all time.

9. Friday Night Lights

I cant say enough about this show. Friday Night Lights is the best sports-based TV drama of all time. However, it is also so much more than that. The show provides a deep look into the trials and tribulations of adolescence, particularly in small-town America. FNL took a concept that could have grown very repetitive very quickly and turned it into a show that always felt fresh and new. If you exclude the god-awful murder storyline (I seriously have no idea what the hell that was), the show absolutely never misses its mark. The relatability of a show about growing up in a small, high school football crazed town makes the show truly appealing and I think that is what makes the show so popular. It is definitely something to add to your list if you’ve never seen it.

8. 24

Growing up, I thought 24 was the absolute best that television had to offer. Now, in my early 20’s, I still think that it is definitely up there. Each season of this thriller takes place in a single day (hence the name 24) of the life of government agent Jack Bauer. I have to say, this man has some eventful days. Kiefer Sutherland is one of my absolute favorite actors and he does a masterful job of portraying the immensely patriotic, heavily flawed, and extremely lethal Bauer. Sutherland is supported by an ensemble of very interesting secondary characters and an always interesting array of storylines that keep the show interesting. 24 is a must watch for any fan of thrilling drama series.

7. Breaking Bad

I know what you’re thinking. It’s probably something along the lines of “how could you put Breaking Bad so low on the list? It should be number 1!”. I have to confess something. I didn’t like Breaking Bad as much as everyone else seemingly did. At some point in the future, I will detail all of the issues I have with the show. For the purposes of this list, I will instead focus on the good. The early seasons of the show are some of the best television ever produced. The character development is indescribably good and the tension some of the show’s scenes create is unparalleled. Breaking Bad absolutely deserves a place among the giants of television. Its merit can not be questioned. Number 7 is a fitting place, in my opinion.

6. Avatar: The Last Airbender

Avatar: The Last Airbender is the absolute high-point of Nickelodeon. SpongeBob couldn’t hold a candle to this masterpiece. Growing up, Avatar was my favorite show. I think a lot of the beauty of the show is its wide appeal. I remember my mom being genuinely invested in the show and even enjoying it almost as much as I did. A few years ago, I re-watched the entire series again and found it to be just as enjoyable as it was when I was a kid. Watching Aang, the show’s protagonist, slowly develop into his immensely important role in the show’s universe is incredible to watch and the story is told flawlessly. I will almost certainly go to my grave pondering the fate of Zuko’s mother. A show has to have a real impact to create a mental dilemma like that. Although it is an animated series with a much younger target audience than the other shows on this list, Avatar: The Last Airbender is an epic series that anyone, regardless of age, can enjoy.

Thanks for reading. Be sure to come back to Mid-American Culture next Wednesday to see Part II of the series. In the meantime, check out some of the other great content from our writers!

Led Zeppelin was one of the first rock bands I ever got seriously into. My first true exposure to the legendary group, besides when the occasional song would play on the radio, was their greatest hits compilation, Mothership. And while Mothership is an amazing compilation that highlights most of the band’s great songs, there are still many classic Zeppelin tunes that don’t get enough credit. So, today, I thought I’d countdown my top 10 favorite Zeppelin tracks that aren’t on their mega-compilation, Mothership.

Good morning, today I’ll share with you another of my favorite poems, Do Not Go Gentle into that Goodnight By Dylan Thomas.

Dylan Thomas was born in Whales in 1914. He was an average student who dropped out of school at age 16. He sought work as a journalist and would eventually work for the BBC. He would rise to literary notoriety in 1934 with the publication of his work, Light Breaks Where No Sun Shines. Thomas married Caitlin Macnamara in 1937. The family would struggle financially as Dylan worked as a writer. He would take on reading tours to supplement income. His marriage to Caitlin was fairly destructive and they both drank heavily. Dylan would also become a pretty big fan of American candy bars while he toured the U.S. and would add to his unhealthy lifestyle. During his fourth trip to the U.S. he fell gravely ill and would pass away at the young age of 39. It was the time in America that would give Dylan Thomas his popularity and following in literary history. I first encountered him in High School where my literature teacher had a framed photo of him hanging off the chalk board. Here’s my favorite Thomas poem.

Hello everybody and welcome back to the Mid-American page. The NBA playoffs are well underway and it’s almost exactly how I thought it would go. One of the biggest things to follow is LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s no secret that LeBron loves to win and will leave if he needs to. James has to the option to leave the Cavs this offseason, and I believe he will. There are only three real possibilities in my eyes, so let’s get to it.

The Philadelphia 76ers

This would be the smartest and best option for the king. He will be working with four lottery picks who are turning out to be worth the hype. Pay wise, the King will receive his richs. Imagine Simmons, Joel, and LeBron. It’s unfair. Not to mention that Simmons and LeBron are known to workout together in the offseason.

The Los Angelos Lakers

The fact that I can see this happening makes me sick. Los Angelos fans talk so much shit about LeBron but then they want him? Dumb. However, LeBron would see the same scenario that he would see Philly. Young talent and money. The biggest negative would be being in the West. The West is much tougher and making to the Finals in that conference is much tougher.

The Cleveland Cavaliers

I do believe there is a small chance LeBron might stay. The Cavs has a talented big man in Kevin Love and some promising younger players. Not to mention the 8th pick in this years draft.

LeBron, in this point of his career, is trying to win championships to silence the doubters. I would love to see him stay, but I see him leaving and the Cavs blowing it up at the end of this season.

What do you think? Where is the King heading? Let us know down in the comments! Thank you for spending a part of your Friday with me! As always, stay tuned for fresh daily content from myself and the rest of the Mid-American crew!